Artificial intelligence, energy, and industry drive expanding economic cooperation between France and the United Arab Emirates.
DUBAI: Louis Margueritte, CEO of Business France, said France and the United Arab Emirates share strong economic complementarities that continue to support the growth of bilateral cooperation.
Speaking during a dialogue session hosted on Wednesday at the Dubai Press Club on the sidelines of his visit to the UAE, Margueritte highlighted artificial intelligence, technology, and industry as key sectors offering significant opportunities to deepen partnerships between the two countries. He added that these emerging areas complement long-established fields of cooperation, including defence, energy, infrastructure, and services.
He emphasised that France and the United Arab Emirates continue to reinforce their long-standing strategic partnership built on trust, investment, and innovation. He noted that bilateral trade between the two countries reached €10.8 billion in 2025, reflecting a 27 percent increase, while trade between France and the Gulf region totalled €24.9 billion.
Louis Margueritte said his visit to the United Arab Emirates is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation, accelerating investment flows, and enhancing strategic partnerships in key sectors shaping the future global economy.
During his visit—approximately two and a half months after his appointment as CEO of Business France by the French President—Louis Margueritte met senior institutional and economic officials to discuss strategic investment opportunities and long-term economic cooperation between France and the United Arab Emirates. The discussions covered key sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced industries, tourism, infrastructure, and broader future-oriented economic partnerships.
Margueritte noted that the UAE is no longer only a strategic market for France but is increasingly a strategic partner in shaping future industries, stressing that in a period of global transformation, trusted partnerships have become more essential than ever.
He also highlighted that more than 600 French companies are active in the UAE, ranging from major corporations to SMEs and startups, operating across technology, AI, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, defence, luxury goods, services, and infrastructure.
He further explained that the role of Business France goes beyond organising events and summits, focusing instead on facilitating direct business-to-business engagement and connecting companies with relevant partners, including executives, investors, and institutional stakeholders.
He emphasised that companies—particularly SMEs and mid-sized enterprises—require practical, direct meetings that can translate into tangible commercial and investment opportunities.
Regarding the Vision Golfe forum, Business France confirmed that the event will be held in Paris on 18 and 19 June.
Louis Margueritte said the forum typically attracts wide participation from decision-makers, senior officials, business leaders, investors, and company representatives from France and Gulf countries, with expected attendance this year projected to exceed 1,300 to 1,500 participants.
He added that the 2026 edition will focus on artificial intelligence, energy transition, industrial partnerships, logistics, water security, human capital, and future industries.
Louis Margueritte noted that the previous edition attracted more than 1,250 participants and facilitated over 2,000 high-level business meetings.
He said the forum serves as a strategic platform to deepen dialogue between France and Gulf countries.
